A crumbling section of Lilley Road in Canton has closed through early October as work crews move to resurface a ragged one-mile stretch between Warren and Joy.

The project, long awaited by motorists who travel the car-rattling road, should be completed by fall, a Wayne County official said.

"We're looking at early October, weather permitting," said Tiffani Jackson, public affairs officer for the Wayne County Department of Public Services.

Work crews closed the road to through traffic on Monday, though residents still can access their neighborhoods. Officials say the closing couldn't be avoided because the project involves repairs to a bridge and culvert at Tonquish Creek.

"The street will be closed to through traffic for the duration of the project," Jackson said Thursday.

Patty Gerou, office manager for Gerou Chiropractic on Lilley near Warren, said many motorists already avoided Lilley because of how badly the road had deteriorated.

"The road was just ridiculous," she said. "People would actually avoid this section of Lilley Road even before they started the construction. Once it's completed, it will definitely be worth the hassle that people are dealing with while it's under construction."

The latest developments come during a summer season that officials say also will involve resurfacing a section of Lilley between between Ann Arbor Road and Main Street/Plymouth Road in Plymouth and Plymouth Township.

Back in Canton, Municipal Services Director Tim Faas said some confusion already has occurred as motorists trying to bypass the Lilley closure have turned into a condominium complex, The Coves of Canton, only to learn they can't access Warren Road.

Officials say motorists should steer clear of Lilley between Warren and Joy as much as possible.

Jackson said the Lilley Road project in Canton was awarded to Ajax Paving Industries for $988,769.

The Lilley project widens the scope of an already busy orange-barrel season in Canton, where work is occurring in areas such as Ford Road near I-275, Cherry Hill west of Canton Center and Beck north of Warren.

In a letter to area residents, Lilley Road project engineer Jesus Plasencia said the work involves a hot-mix asphalt, cold milling (removing and replacing part of the surface), resurfacing, road shoulder repairs and concrete repairs. It also includes work on curbs, gutters and driveways, along with efforts to improve drainage, signs and pavement markings.

Not far west of the Lilley Road project, residents also have complained about the poor condition of Morton Taylor between Warren and Joy, but Faas said those repairs haven't yet been scheduled.